But what is the reason for Android’s dominance? Perhaps it’s because of Google’s proactive approach to introducing new features, whilst simultaneously refining existing ones on a regular basis. And Android Lollipop is no different, bringing to the table some incredible refinements of the OS’s look-and-feel, as well as features that are sure to delight users.

Material Design

One of the biggest criticisms of Android has been that it simply isn’t all that nice to look at. Sure, that was certainly true prior to the release of Ice Cream Sandwich. Since then, it’s undergone a number of revamps of its aesthetics and its usability that have drastically improved the Android user experience. The latest iteration in this process is something called Material Design.

Revamped Notifications

Have you ever found yourself rudely awoken in the early hours of the morning by the chime of your phone whenever someone sends you a Facebook message? It’s annoying. Thankfully, Android Lollipop solves this once and for all, with its revamped notifications system.

That’s not about to change, as Android Lollipop introduces over 5,000 new APIs for developers to use, including support for OpenGL ES 3.1 and tools for taking advantage of the more powerful cameras found in high-end Android phones. Happy coding!

Android Lollipop tries to fix this with a new battery saver feature. Switch it on, and you get another 90 minutes before you have to plug your device in. Developers are also able to invoke this battery feature from within their code, thus minimizing the impact applications have on your battery life.

Three New Nexus Devices

As well as a revamping Android, Google also plans to launch three new Nexus-branded companion devices. These will run the latest version of the operating system, and include a phone, a tablet, and a TV set-top box.

Nexus 6

The Nexus 6 is the flagship Android Lollipop phone, built by Motorola. Packed into this six-inch behemoth is a powerful quad-core snapdragon CPU clocked at 2.7 Ghz, backed up with an Adreno 420 GPU and a generous 3GB of RAM.

Snap-happy users will also be pleased to know it comes with an amazingly sharp 13 megapixel camera with dual-LED flash and an f/2.0 aperture. It can also capture vivid, ultra-high definition 4K video at a resolution of 30 fps. The selfie-friendly front camera can also take 2MP shots and supports high-definition video conferencing.

The Motorola-built device also looks the part, coming with a sleek aluminum frame with impeccably-strong Gorilla Glass 3 on the screen.

Prices are yet to be announced, with availability expected for later this year.

Nexus 9

HTC, a brand you don’t usually associate with high-end tablets, was the manufacturer chosen by Google to design their flagship Android Lollipop tablet. That seems to be a bet that paid off, as the Nexus 9 looks simply amazing.

Inside the brushed aluminum frame and massive 8.9 inch screen is a blisteringly fast 64-bit Nvidia Tegra K1 CPU, with each of its four cores clocked at 2.3 Ghz. It also packs an Nvidia Kepler GPU, which is a high-performance, low-power GPU capable of playing near-PC quality video games.

The abilities of this GPU were first demonstrated two years ago at the GPU Technology Conference:

The Nexus 9 comes with an 8MP rear camera, as well as a 1.6MP front-facing camera, and it comes in Lunar White, Indigo Black, and Sand.

This $99 device (about a third of the price of the Nexus Q) runs a variant of Android Lollipop specifically designed for set-top boxes, and — although not yet released — will be released with a wealth of apps including Netflix, Vevo, Hulu Plus, and Youtube.

Inside the hockey puck-sized box is a 1.6 Ghz quad-core Intel Atom CPU, backed up with an Imagination PowerVR GPU and 1GB of RAM. Storage is limited — it only comes with 8GB — but Google assumes you’ll be streaming your videos.

The included remote control comes with a built-in microphone, allowing you to issue voice commands, and a gamepad is available to purchase separately should you fancy a bit of casual gaming.

What Do You Think?

Android 5.0 Lollipop and its launch devices are well on the horizon, and will be launched later this year. The revamped OS comes with a plethora of enhancements and new features that make the OS even better, whilst the new devices are a force to be reckoned with.

But what do you think? Have any of the new devices caught your eye? Tell me about it in the comments box below.

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Chad madden

November 13, 2014 at 7:27 am

I would love to try the nexus 6 I have very large hands I use a galaxy note 3 wich is a pretty good size phone but I still have to use my stylis to text or search the Web cause my fingers hit to many keys lol but if u would like to send me the nexus 6 to try I will give u a true and very accurate review of the phone

"inside the brushed aluminum frame and massive 8.9 inch screen is a blisteringly fast 64-bit Nvidia Tegra K1 CPU, with each of its four cores clocked at 2.3 Ghz. It’s also the first Android device to pack an Nvidia Kepler GPU, which is a high-performance, low-power GPU capable of playing near-PC quality video games."

The Nvidia Shield Tablet was the first android device to use a kepler GPU. The nexus 9 is the first device to use the 64-bit K1 however

Cant wait to get my hands on the Nexus 9. My kids both have Nexus 7's and whilst they are great, they are a little small for my likening. The 9" version will be better for reading, browsing ect. Hoping the UK prices will be favourable.

As a massive Google fan boy, I have to say I am really unimpressed by these new products.
Also a little confused as to why no prices were announced at the same time the devices were.

It seems a little strange (to me at least) that Google would take such a design change from the hugely successful nexus 7 to a square looking 9 inch tablet... as for the nexus 6, I'm thinking this might be a little too big for most hands.

Wasn't there a big hoo-haa a few years ago when people complained about "phablets? And yet, here we are again..

I'm really confused by the whole thing.

I'll be waiting til the new year (when my mobile contract is up for renewal) and reading as many user reviews as I can before making my mind up.

I'd love to fall in love with these like I did with the original nexus 4 and 7, but I just can't bring myself to get excited.

I guess that might change when more hands-on reviews come out. But I must say, as someone who has used a Blackberry as their main phone for most of the past few years, I'm incredibly excited for the Nexus 6.

With respect to them being too big for most hands, I kinda agree. However, that's the way the phone market is heading, it seems.

"Everything You Need To Know" you should really take that one part out. If you want to tell me "everything" why not do a review of the N6? -> maybe because it is not out. Well that' something that i WANT to know. Ok, lets try something easier: what's the price? i think you can find that piece of info easily, because it IS announced.

I think the Nexus 9 is a disappointment, with hardware that compares unfavorably to the Kindle HDX 8.9. I'm annoyed that there is no improved 7" Nexus and while the Nexus player is probably really interesting, I think a proper Ethernet port is an absolute requirement for an STB.

Matthew Hughes is a software developer and writer from Liverpool, England. He is seldom found without a cup of strong black coffee in his hand and absolutely adores his Macbook Pro and his camera. You can read his blog at http://www.matthewhughes.co.uk and follow him on twitter at @matthewhughes.